Play On

Every writer should find a little time for horseplay. Time to get a little dirty, forget the rules, throw out the craft books, and just let loose. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with craft books. It is important to learn our craft, and ongoing study of it involves books, blogs, conferences, etc. But sometimes we get so wrapped up in the “do this, don’t do that” of rules that we forget that craft, true craft, is not about blindly following the rules. It’s about taking the rules and applying them in ways that make the work stronger and not applying them when they don’t. So, the next time you sit down to your writing desk throw the rule book out. Roll around and get dirty. Enjoy it. Relish it. Your work will be better for it.